Pets on Parade

Pets on Parade took place yesterday at Town Center. Our idea is even though Town Center has no shops or activity, we can make it a happening place anyway. This Halloween was an appropriate time to get the area moving. After all, some call it the Ghost Town up there! So in the spirit of the season events happened. Goatman's Hollow was a spooky event. Ghost's all over the place.....Fun, Scary and very successful!!! Took place at the old federal credit union building. Thanks to Pete for providing the space and the fire department and all others who took part in this event.
Pets on Parade was sponsored by the Riverdale Park Business Association and took place in the parking lot at town center. Grownups, Kids, and Pets participated in the parade to show off costumes which were highly creative. Prizes for everyone! The Canine Training Association gave a demo on dog obedience. Wave and Mike provided live music! Calvert House Inn had food and coffee! Town Photographer Lance Whitney took tons of pictues! Councilman Rob Oppenheim mc'd for us and was gracious enough to wear the Pumpkin Head Costume with cape! Judy Glaes diligently worked at organizing all the activities, passed out certificates and did so much work on this event! We stuffed all the kids and dogs with treats before sending them home at the end of the day!
This was such a fun event and very positive reviews have been coming in all day. We are hoping to do a CD with all the pictures and original music very soon. We will keep everyone posted. If you don't hear from us, call or email us.
These are the times I love living in a small town. So many times we get bogged down with all the problems and negativity, but this Halloween it had been absolutely delightful! Yeah!

Wave and Mike

Performers at Pets on Parade!

Wave and Mike played original "dog" songs! Made up on the spot!
Here are a few of the words....
Yipp Yapp and Bark....
Take me to the dog Park......
What a talented duo!

Fabulous Music!!!! 

Pets on Parade!

Mattie and MacGregor!
Mac wears a pirate scarf. He had more of a costume but not for long.
Mattie is the Fairy Princess! She kept her costume on all day and was awarded a certificate for the most "Gorgeous"!








Sweet Mattie Bragg! 

Young Audrey and her pet Rabbit!

Years ago, I had a pet rabbit named Mickey. As you can see we bonded and played together and I really loved him. One day I came out to the rabbit hutch to see my pet and it was turned over and he was gone. I was so upset. My parents told me the dogs got him and he was gone for good. I found out years later that my parents ate my rabbit. I also found out years later that my parents ate my pet ducks. So you kids think you have it bad. Hmm. I still can't figure out what kind of parents would eat their child's pets. So I found this picture and as a tribute to one of my favorite pets - Mickey the rabbit - I have posted on this site.  

Here We are!

Simon was reluctant to pose, but I convinced him to do it. This is inside the Botanic Gardens.
Next picture is the bear with the Honey Pot. Wish I could grow something like this.

Next is Me with the Beautiful flowers. 

Our National Flower - The Rose!

In 1986, the United States Congress designated the rose as our national flower. On November 20, 1986, President Ronald REgan signed Proclamation 5574, designating the rose as the National Floral Emlem. 

Botanic Gardens, Washington, DC

This is the front of the building where the National Gardens are located. 

The National Garden at the U.S. Botanic Garden!

On Saturday Simon and I read about the National Garden in the Washington Post and decided to go have a look. It was wonderful! The estimated cost of the project just $11.5 million! Now don't get upset - this money wasn't your tax dollars. This money was raised by the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Gardens a 501c not for profit corporation. It took 2 years to complete.
We saw the First Ladies Water Garden, The Rose Garden, Regional Garden, Butterfly Garden, Lawn Terrace, and Amphitheater. Upon arriving at the check in desk in the outdoor garden we were greeted with a map and encouraged to plant a necklace garden to wear on our tour. I did complete my little necklace garden and brought it home to put on my windowsill. We tried to guess the answers to the rose trivia in the Rose Garden and by the way the rose is the National Flower. After touring outside, we went into the building as well. There are too many gardens to list and I can't remember the names of all of them but 2 that I was impressed with were the Meditation Garden and the Endangered Species Garden. What I was really impressed with was the cost. Totally absolutely FREE! No commercialism at all. No buy this buy that. No gift shop. No place to spend money anyway, anyhow. They even had containers with bottled water for the guests and it was free. I encourage everyone to take this trip downtown to see these gardens.